A rioter who was bitten on the stomach by a police dog when he repeatedly threw objects at officers as he refused to move back has been jailed.

John Barton was amongst a violent group of alleged protesters who had violent clashes with officers as they battled to regain control of the streets of Hartlepool.

The 33-year-old had been drinking in town with friends before becoming embroiled in the violence which left communities in the town struggling to come to terms with what happened that night.

Rachel Masters, prosecuting, said Barton was seen hurling a brick at police officers and refusing to move back. One officer, who had a police dog, “stood his ground” before the dog bit the defendant in the stomach area.

Barton, of Duke Street, Hartlepool, pleaded guilty to violent disorder following the events on July 31.

Erin Kitson-Parker, mitigating, said her client had shown genuine remorse for his behaviour and it was going to be the ‘biggest regret of his life’.

She said: “His time in custody has been a sobering experience, perhaps it should be for people involved in such horrendous violence.”

Judge Francis Laird KC sentenced the father-of-one to 27 months in prison for his role in the violent disorder.

He said: “You were observed on Murray Street, you were part of a group throwing missiles at officers and who refused to retreat when ordered to do so.

“You were observed to throw bricks at police officers and when refusing to leave, you were bitten by a police dog and arrested.”

Another Hartlepool rioter to have been jailed at Teesside Crown Court was Natalie Wood who was caught throwing a plastic bottle at police during the violent disorder.

Miss Masters said the 39-year-old was also heard shouting – ‘come on then’ towards the police on footage which was found on social media and the defendant was recognised by her probation officer.

Wood, of Richmond Street, Hartlepool, pleaded guilty to violent disorder.

Kate Barnes, mitigating, said: “She had no knowledge or interest in the political aspects of events on July 31 and wasn’t part of the organised gathering.

“She joined those gathering and for a long time did nothing but be present then she did throw that bottle towards the police line.

“She accepts that she has done wrong.”

Judge Laird also sentenced Wood to 27 months in prison.

He said: “You were captured on film in the Murray Street area, picking something off the ground and throwing it in the direction of police officers before shouting – ‘come on then’.”

Northern Echo

A man and woman who joined in the Hartlepool riot are starting jail sentences after becoming the latest offenders to be dealt with at court.

John Barton, 33, hurled bricks at police in Murray Street on the evening of Wednesday, July 31, and was bitten by a police dog after repeatedly refusing to move.

And Natalie Wood, 39, was arrested after she was identified from TikTok footage throwing something at the police cordon in the street and shouted “come on then”.

They were each jailed for 27 months at Teesside Crown Court on Monday, September 2, after previously pleading guilty to violent disorder.

The court heard how police, property and businesses came under attack after a crowd of around 200 people gathered in Murray Street at around 8pm.

Eight police officers were injured with two needing hospital treatment.

It followed a march which met at the cenotaph in Hartlepool town centre at 6pm following a series of social media posts that day when the exact addresses of local asylum seekers were shared.

Barton, a father to a young child, was arrested after riot police attempted to push back the large crowd in Murray Street at around 9.10pm.

Rachel Masters, prosecuting, said: “An officer became aware of a male throwing bricks at the police and refusing to move back and disperse despite being continually told to do so.”

The court heard that Barton, of Duke Street, Hartlepool, joined other rioters after earlier drinking with friends in the town centre prior to the protest linked to the tragic murders of three children in Southport.

Erin Kitson-Parker, mitigating, said Barton’s involvement was “limited” and he understands the impact the riot has had on the community.

She added: “He tells me it’s the biggest regret of his life. He is genuinely sorry for what he’s done.”

Kate Barnes, for Wood, of Richmond Street, Hartlepool, said she had “no knowledge or interest” in any political event and for most of the time in Murray Street she simply watched what was happening.

Jailing Barton, Judge Francis Laird told him: “You were persistently abusive and aggressive. You were part of a violent mob. You threw missiles at police officers.”

And he said to Wood: “You were taunting police officers as part of a violent mob.”

Hartlepool Mail